Part 12 (1/2)

”_What?_” exclaimed Mrs. Milo. And to Sue, ”Didn't I tell you!”

”But if Mr. Farvel doesn't wish to officiate,” she argued.

Her brother caught at the suggestion. ”Exactly,” he said. ”He doesn't wish.”

”What's the matter with him?” demanded Mrs. Milo, harshly.

”He has a reason,” explained Wallace, in a tone that was meant to cut off further inquiry.

”A reason? Indeed! And what is it? Isn't dear Hattie to be consulted?”

Wallace put out his hands imploringly. ”Hattie won't care,” he argued.

”And, oh, mother, let's not worry her about it!”

Mrs. Milo smiled wisely. ”I've always said,” she reminded, turning to Sue, ”that there's something about Mr. Farvel that--well----” She shrugged.

Wallace's hands were opening and shutting almost convulsively.

”Mother,” he begged, ”can I see Sue alone?”

Mrs. Milo's eyes softened with understanding. ”My baby, of course.”

She kissed him fondly and hurried out to join Mrs. Balcome. His request was a familiar one. He called upon his sister not infrequently for financial help, and to his mother it was a point greatly in his favor that he shrank from asking for money in the presence of any third person.

His mother gone, Wallace turned to Sue. She had the same thought concerning the nature of what was troubling him; for he looked hara.s.sed--worn and pathetically helpless. He was more stooped than usual. The sight of him touched Sue's heart.

”Well, old brother,” she said tenderly, putting a hand on his arm. ”Is the bridegroom short of cash? Now that would never do. And you know I'm always ready----”

”Not that,” he answered; ”--not this time. I'm all right. It's--Alan.”

”He's not happy!”

”No.” Wallace glanced away. ”But it's--it's an old story.”

”Can I help him?”

He shook his head. ”n.o.body can do anything. We'll just change ministers.”

She struggled against the next question. ”It's about a--a girl?”

As if startled, he stared at her. ”What makes you say that?”

”Well, I--I don't know.” She laughed a little, embarra.s.sed. ”But most men at his age----”

”Well, it is about a girl,” he admitted. ”She disappeared--oh, nine or ten years ago.”

”I--see.”

”But don't say anything to Hattie about it. She likes Farvel.

And--and she isn't any too enthusiastic about marrying me.”